Truth For The Heart
“Therefore the Lord himself shall give you a sign; Behold, a virgin shall conceive, and bear a son, and shall call his name Immanuel.” Isaiah 7:14 (KJV) The roots of the music of Oh Come, Oh Come, Emmanuel! go back to the 15th century.1 The Messianic titles in the lyrics, called the O Antiphons, are […]
Read MoreThe libretto of Messiah is taken from numerous books of the Bible: Job, Psalms, Isaiah, Lamentations, Haggai, Zechariah, Malachi, Matthew, Luke, John, Romans, 1 Corinthians, Colossians, 1 Timothy, Hebrews and Revelation. If you’re not familiar with the passages selected by Jennens, you can read them at the above link. The first five verses of Isaiah […]
Read MoreWhen I was growing up we attended a church with a large music program, and I first sang in a choir as a young child. In December our minister of music had all the choirs sing the “Hallelujah” chorus from Handel’s Messiah. The adult choir was at the front of the church behind the ministers, […]
Read MoreCoventry Carol is a song that was unfamiliar to me until I read a novel by Helen MacInnes in which she used it at a critical moment in her story. I have yet to hear it sung in a church or in concert here in the United States. The carol is both lullaby and lament, […]
Read MoreThen I heard something like the voice of a great multitude and like the sound of many waters and like the sound of mighty peals of thunder, saying, “Hallelujah! For the Lord our God, the Almighty, reigns.” Revelation 19:6 – – – For you know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that though He […]
Read MoreI have always loved to sing O Come All Ye Faithful on Christmas morning. The last verse bursts into joy with its call to worship and adore the Lord Jesus. “Yea, Lord, we greet thee, Born this happy morning; Jesus, to thee be glory given! Word of the Father, Now in flesh appearing! Oh, come, […]
Read MoreBells have been used for centuries to mark significant events. Carol of the Bells was composed by the Ukrainian composer, Mykola Dmytrovych Leontovych, and is frequently performed by handbell choirs. These handbell ringers in Taipei are unique, however; their entrance and processional ringing out the notes enhances and expresses the joyous melody. The sights and […]
Read MoreIn many churches I’ve attended it is a tradition to close the Christmas Eve service by singing “Silent Night”. This carol was written and first sung in Oberndorf, Austria. Silent night! Holy night! All is calm, all is bright round yon Virgin Mother and Child, Holy infant so tender and mild, sleep in Heavenly peace! sleep […]
Read MoreBut when the fullness of the time came, God sent forth His Son…. Galatians 4:4a – God, after He spoke long ago to the fathers in the prophets in many portions and in many ways, in these last days has spoken to us in His Son… Hebrews 1:1-2 – God spoke through the prophet Malachi […]
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Kindling for Candles 